Look! Solar Panel Awning

We recently visited the headquarters of Kansas City local general contractor A.L. Huber. The reason for the visit? To check out all of the new green building elements they recently added to their building - a project they've called Renewable Energy Demonstration Initiative. The image above is our favorite detail:

Instead of installing several dozen solar panels on their roof out of view, A.L. Huber decided to install them on their building's facade. They kept them positioned at an optimum angle and actually used some of them as awnings over windows. So, some panels actually act at once as shading devices and solar panels.

Through the REDI project, A.L. Huber implemented alternative energy sources like wind and sun power, installed a green wall and a salvaged wood screen to cut down on solar heat gain, and plan to have a charging station for electric vehicles driven by their employees in the future.

On a side note, we were also excited to learn that A.L. Huber, over the last few decades, worked with artists Christo and Jeanne Claude on installations of their large-scale work across the globe. The relationship started with Christo and Jeanne Claude's Wrapped Walkways project in Kansas City's Loose Park in 1978.

Regina is an architect who lives with her husband and children in Lawrence, KS. As a LEED Accredited Professional and longtime contributor to Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn, her focus is on healthy, sustainable living through design.